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During the holidays, many people are generous with gifts – and with money to those in need, but a darker side emerges with scammers who regularly take advantage of that generosity. So how can people protect themselves? Richard Piatt speaks with Katherine Hart from the Division of Consumer Protection for some guidelines.

Cyber attacks against government and businesses have dramatically increased. The Department of Public Safety, the State Bureau of Investigation, and the Statewide Information and Anaysis Center (SIAC) deploy a joint, multifaceted approach to combat cyber crime.

In automobile insurance industry, fraudulent incidents and claims bring tremendous loss to the insurance company and have gained increased attention. Collaborating with an automobile insurance company in mainland China, we extract the data of great volume and variety from their business system. By mining these data, a fraud detection model is built. Both supervised and semi-supervised learning algorithms are applied in our system. A comparison is made and the results show that semi-supervised approach outperforms the others. In the test set, 81% frauds fall into the cases with the top 10% highest fraud score predicted by our model. It demonstrates the capability of our system to guide the insurance reviewers to carry out the follow up actions, i.e., effciently allocating limited resources to investigate the cases with higher fraud probability to save money from frauds while quickly settling the cases with lower fraud probability to improve customer satisfaction. The system has been tested and deployed in the company and it turns out to perform much better than the counterpart fraud detection system built by FICO.

In his latest video designed to help the public reduce its exposure to crime, Chief Chris Burbank talks financial crimes with Detective Brigette Bennett, who has investigated forgery, fraud, identity theft, counterfeiting and embezzlement cases for the last six years of her 14-year career with the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Francine A. Giani, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Commerce and Sim Gill, Salt Lake County District Attorney announced today that a joint investigation between the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing (DOPL), Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and Weber County Attorney's Office has resulted in the arrest and criminal charges against Kristina Marie Owen, age 33, for representing herself as a licensed nurse (LPN) while working in two Utah care facilities.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) uses data mining to analyze millions of vendor transactions each year in an effort to combat fraud. The long timeline required to investigate potential fraud precludes DFAS from using fraud as a supervised modeling performance measure, so instead it uses the conditions needing improvement (CNI) found during site audits. To verify this method, a thorough literature review is conducted which demonstrates a clear relationship between fraud and CNIs. Then recent site audits are analyzed to prove that supervised modeling is detecting CNIs at a higher rate than random record selection. The next phase of the research evaluates recent models to determine if models are improving with each new audit. Finally, to enhance the upervised modeling process, four initiatives are proposed: a revised model scoring implementation, a knowledge base of audit results, alternative model streams for record selection and a recommended modeling process for the CNI knowledge base. The goal of the proposed enhancements is to improve an already successful program so that the data-mining efforts will further reduce taxpayer losses through fraud, error or misappropriation of funds., http://archive.org/details/evaluationoffrau109455598, Lieutenant, United States Navy, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

(DFAS) vendor payment transactions through Unsupervised Modeling (cluster analysis). Clementine Data Mining software is used to construct unsupervised models of vendor payment data using the K-Means, Two Step, and Kohonen algorithms. Cluster validation techniques are applied to select the most useful model of each type, which are then combined to select candidate records for physical examination by a DFAS auditor. Our unsupervised modeling technique utilizes all the available valid transaction data, much of which is not admitted under the current supervised modeling procedure. Our procedure standardizes and provides rigor to the existing unsupervised modeling methodology at DFAS. Additionally, we demonstrate a new clustering approach called Tree Clustering, which uses Classification and Regression Trees to cluster data with automatic variable selection and scaling. A Recommended SOP for Unsupervised Modeling, detailed explanation of all Clementine procedures, and implementation of the Tree Clustering algorithm are included as appendices., http://archive.org/details/animprovedunsupe10945916, Major, United States Marine Corps, Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Recently, there has been a surge of interest in social networks ever since the tragic event of September 11, 2001 attacks on The World Trade Center in the United States. E-mail traffic, disease transmission, criminal activity and communication network can all be modeled as social networks. Ego-centric is an approach used in social network analysis. In the social network parlance, the focused person is referred to as “ego” and his or her affiliate, friend or relative is known as “alters”. An egocentered network positions an individual at the center of a social network team for the person to traverse his or her relationships with other team members. Through social network analysis, enforcement officers can recognize how information flows through social ties, how people acquire information and resources and how cleavages and coalitions operate. In this thesis, based on social network theories and link analysis; a data mining technology, a social network analysis model is developed to facilitate in detecting fraudulent collaboration, after which an evaluation is then made on the performance of the developed model. This study aims to explore the usage of embedding social network analysis functions into fraudulent collaboration investigation in call details records. Two types of social network data collection approaches are discussed; (i) social network with centrality measures values and (ii) social network without centrality measures values, where the first approach is based on the previous research while the second is based on the current research experimented. Performance of the models produced by both approaches are measured based on a standard measurement. Performance is tested using statistical models which include Bayesian Network, Naïve Bayesian and Binary Logistic Regression Model is performed. These statistical models are used in order to prove and determine which model is the ‘best’ that can produce a better prediction of fraudulent collaboration. The outcome

Defendant Robert W. Stringham appeals from convictions of one count of engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, a second degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. 76-10-1602 (Supp. 1997); three counts of communications fraud, second degree felonies, in violation of Utah Code Ann. 76-10-1801 (Supp. 1997); and twelve counts of theft, of which six were second degree felonies, five were third degree felonies, and one was a Class A misdemeanor, in violation of Utah Code Ann. 76-6-404 (1995) and -412 (Supp. 1997).(1) We reverse the communications fraud convictions and remand for a new trial. Otherwise, we affirm.

Thomas K. Jones appeals the denial of a post-trial motion to dismiss after entry of conviction for communications fraud, a second degree felony, in violation of Utah Code Ann. 76-10-1801 (Supp. 1997). We affirm.

Defendant Brenda Ellingsworth appeals her conviction for Workers' Compensation Fraud, a third degree felony in violation of Utah Code Ann. 35-1-109 (1994). Specifically, defendant argues the trial court erred in denying her Motion to Suppress medical records. We affirm.

Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte has received a telegram from Judge James H. Beatty that the statute of limitations is closing soon on the timber fraud cases in Idaho, so while nothing will be made public until after the trial is concluded, the trial should not be delayed. (William Edgar Borah had been indicted in the timber fraud case, and he had requested delay until he could fulfill his responsibilities as prosecutor in the case regarding the murder of former Idaho governor Frank Steunenberg.)

Attorney General Moody intends to fully prosecute cases involving naturalization fraud and will discuss the matter with Assistant Attorney General Purdy when Purdy returns to work. Moody also stresses the importance of the Southern District of New York Office and encourages the President to appoint a top lawyer to administer that office.

President Roosevelt warns Major William H. H. Llewellyn, Attorney General of New Mexico Territory, that in Washington there's a perception that he's "lukewarm" in his prosecution of land fraud cases. Roosevelt asks why Benjamin H. Tallmadge was released.

President Roosevelt has no intention to remove Joseph H. Kibbey as Governor of the Arizona territory, despite the efforts of Senator Albert J. Beveridge and his supporters. While Roosevelt is disappointed that some public officials make accusations that cannot be backed up by facts, he will protect anyone making serious accusations as long as there is sufficient evidence to support those accusations. The next time he sees Lincon Steffens he would like to review what Steffens has found out about Government officials in the West before anything is made public.

James N. Tyner's letter to President Roosevelt has been received and forwarded to the Department of Justice. A report by the Department of Justice confirms that the action taken in removing Tyner from office and the statements made by Roosevelt to Congress were warranted.

Review of the payroll evidence against the fraud perpetrated by the "Franklin Syndicate."

Statistics for pension frauds for the year ending June 30, 1901.

Theodore Roosevelt does not recall the land fraud case involving Dr. Perrin. He will not answer Perrin's letter but gives Gifford Pinchot permission to inform Perrin that he never "set people" on Perrin's trail or persecuted him.

Unless Mr. Lighton substantiates his claims, President Roosevelt cannot pay them any heed. Roosevelt agrees land fraud exists and the government has secured many convictions for the crime, but Roosevelt cannot act based on general accusations.

President Roosevelt commends Postmaster General Payne, the Post Office Department, and the Department of Justice for their work on the postal frauds.

C. V. C. Van Deusen, with the support of Senator Platt, has applied for the position of special examiner to investigate naturalization frauds. President Roosevelt would like to appoint Van Deusen and asks Attorney General Knox if it can be done.

Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot provides President Theodore Roosevelt with a report on land office work after claims of possible fraud and of hardship. Pinchot recommends that Secretary of the Interior Ethan Allen Hitchcock be given an additional $500,000 to "bring the public land business of the United States up to date."

Idaho Governor Gooding laments to President Roosevelt that most people associated with the prosecution of the alleged murderers of Governor of Idaho Frank Steuenberg have been indicted and accused of connection with the alleged timber land frauds in the state.

Gifford Pinchot assures Dr. Perrin that Theodore Roosevelt prosecuted Perrin's case in a normal fashion and did nothing to persecute Perrin.

Gifford Pinchot encloses a letter from Dr. Perrin who continues to desire "vindication." Perrin wants Theodore Roosevelt to deny that he ever "set people on his trail and otherwise persecuted him."

Idaho Governor Gooding informs President Roosevelt that he knows United States Attorney N. M. Ruick has begun his return to Washington, D.C. and that it is important for President Roosevelt to keep secret Gooding's letter from everyone except Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte.

Clement S. Ucker, clerk for Special Service Division "P" of the General Land Office, testifies regarding allegations of corruption in the handling of public lands.

This report summarizes allegations by Inspector Edward B. Linnen related to the construction of a canal in Wyoming which was fraudulently used to claim desert land as having been reclaimed. A second canal was constructed by the company which acquired title to the lands from the original company. In order to effectively irrigate the lands, the second canal had to be constructed in a materially different manner than the first, proving that the first project was a fraud.

Secretary of the Navy Bonaparte returns to William Loeb a letter from Congressman Amos L. Allen and explains its peculiar circumstances. Navy Paymaster Samuel McGowan has charged Bonaparte's secretary, Henry C. Gauss, with forging a letter making charges against McGowan. Though Gauss is no friend to McGowan, Bonaparte does not think that Gauss sees McGowan as an enemy; nor does he think Gauss so foolish as to attempt such a “silly, childish trick.” Thus, Bonaparte doubts the accuracy of the handwriting analysis McGowan had done on the letter and asks Loeb to offer an opinion once he reviews the papers.

President Roosevelt's administration responds to charges that the investigation of several land fraud cases is not being pursued with vigor by the Department of the Interior. The report denies these claims and presents details of indictments and convictions already achieved. A large number of parties attempted to defraud the government of public lands, and some of the cases are still underway, requiring secrecy until conviction of the guilty parties is achieved.

Similar to the land fraud prosecutions in Oregon and Montana, Benjamin H. Tallmadge, of the C. L. Tallmadge Southwestern Land Company, has been arrested on the charge of subornation of perjury. It is the first of many prosecutions that will be brought for alleged fraud in land entries and deals in New Mexico. Tallmadge maintains his innocence.

William A. Richards recommends sending John McPhaul to New Orleans to teach agents how to detect and investigate fraudulent applications.

Ohio Senator Joseph B. Foraker has requested that the Ohio postmaster be reprimanded for "actively opposing the Senator's interests in politics." Joseph Bristow, Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, wants an opinion from President Roosevelt before sending an inspector to Ohio in order to get the facts.

Representative Bates writes to President Roosevelt expressing concern over the health of Postmaster Henry C. Payne and a possible investigation of Payne's involvement in fraud within the postal system.

Senator Lodge reports that with the inclusion of additional forces, the situation in Boston has improved.

Assistant Postmaster General Bristow discusses the status of the investigation of Perry S. Heath's connection with the postal scandal. He says that little information has been obtained about Heath's connection because others being investigated will not talk about it.

James Sullivan Clarkson reports to President Roosevelt about attorney Joseph Wingate Folk's successes in prosecuting cases in the Missouri "boodle" trials. According to Clarkson's friend Joseph L. Hanley, the Snyder case, the Butler case, and the case involving the confidential secretary of the governor who was indicted for naturalization frauds, are all before the Supreme Court of Missouri. Clarkson will send a thorough report to William Loeb in the morning.

Senator Lodge thanks President Roosevelt for correspondence concerning the full account of the Miller case in the Printing Office, in addition to his opinion on labor organization activity and other government matters.

Joseph L. Bristow writes to William Loeb concerning needed revisions to President Roosevelt's memorandum on Bristow's report on the United States Postal Service fraud.

Henry Martyn Hoyt writes to Postmaster General Payne in reference to a subpoena served upon Payne to produce certain correspondence and documents of the Post Office Department relating to the case of United States v. Beavers .

Postmaster General Payne writes to President Roosevelt, stating his belief that Baltimore Postmaster S. Davies Warfield was complicit in the fraud perpetrated by mail clerk John W. Pettit and should be punished.

Joseph L. Bristow writes to President Roosevelt regarding the fraud investigation within the Post Office Department, and he encloses a memorandum from Ex-Postmaster General Smith.

Postmaster General Payne encloses statements made by Charles T. McCoy while under investigation. There are frequent false entries in McCoy's accounts and Assistant Postmaster General Bristow will recommend his removal.

Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad will provide a report to President Roosevelt concerning fraud in the United States Post Office, per the president's request.

Henry Martyn Hoyt is sending the report from Charles J. Bonaparte and Holmes Conrad concerning fraud in the Post Office Department.

Joseph L. Bristow writes to Postmaster General Payne in reference to a conversation with Eugene Francis Loud that he was informed of a discussion about a thorough investigation of the Post Office Department.

Assistant Postmaster General Bristow confirms to William Loeb that his letter has been received and that proper investigations are taking place.

Assistant Postmaster General Bristow requests that his meeting with the president be pushed back a week so that he might be able to gather more facts to present.